December 13, 2007

Good News for NYC Saké Fans

Since its opening, San Francisco’s True Saké has stood alone as the sole saké specialist retailer in the United States. As of this past weekend, however, Beau Timken and company will have to move over to make some room for a new, east coast entrant – Sakaya, New York City.

Opened December 8 by Rick and Hiroko Smith, the East Village Sakaya is the fulfillment of a long-standing dream for the pair. While I have not yet personally darkened the doors of the new shop, the photos the Smiths have posted on their blog certainly indicates a calm and beautiful oasis in the urban jungle that is New York. (And, conveniently, it is located just a few blocks away from the landmark NYC beer bar, d.b.a.)

The Smiths promise more than 85 varieties of saké ranging in price from $18 to close to $200, and for those with a taste for the stuff but poor recollection of which ones they prefer, will be conducting sampling on site. They will also be building a website for the store at sakayanyc.com, presumably once they recover from the no doubt chaotic first few opening weeks.

Sakaya is located at 324 East 9th Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues. There is no phone number yet available, but the duo can be emailed here.